Idaho vote rejecting protections for gay people spurs outrage

BOISE -- Tears and cries of outrage erupted from a crowd numbering around 300 after a party-line Senate committee vote today rejected changes to the state's Human Rights Act meant to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from workplace and housing discrimination.

"That's Idaho," one woman said loudly.

"What's it going to take?" another said.

All session, a low-key "Add the Words" campaign to update the act with the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" has been working to win at least an introduction.

While Republican Sen. Russ Fulcher said he respected those who want the changes, he couldn't agree to make changes that are at odds with his fundamental beliefs about morality. A similar bill got identical treatment in 2009, rejected before a full public hearing.

"I think what you saw was the conflict of two entirely different world views," Fulcher, R-Meridian, said, after joining the Senate State Affairs Committee's six other Republicans in voting against the bill.

Today's scene of sad, angry Idaho residents was a marked contrast to the one earlier in the week in neighboring Washington state, where there were tears of joy from the gay community after representatives in that state's House voted 55-43 on Wednesday to legalize gay marriage.

Maria Minicucci, from Boise, said it's ironic that an invisible, arbitrary border separates one region where people of the same sex can make a lifelong vow to each other from another where those same two people might be fired or denied accommodations simply because of who they are -- without having the right to ask the state Human Rights Commission to investigate.

"I absolutely think they are behind the curve," Minicucci said, adding she believes Idaho's reluctance to pass protections for gays and lesbians could hurt its ability to attract progressive companies seeking to relocate.

"If I'm on the outside looking in, I'm not seeing a lot of good stuff," she said.

A crowd outside the Capitol auditorium sang the spiritual hymn "We Shall Overcome" after the vote. Earlier, they'd covered their mouths, to symbolize their feelings that they had been silenced.

This morning's hearing was short, lasting less than 10 minutes -- enough time for a tearful plea from Democratic Minority Leader Edgar Malepeai to give the bill a full public vetting.

"In my opinion, it would be profoundly disrespectful not to afford those tens of thousands of families who would be protected by this legislation at least a printing of this bill," Malepaei, D-Pocatello, argued unsuccessfully.

Only Malepeai and Democratic Sen. Michelle Stennett, of Ketchum, supported printing the bill.

The early-morning introduction hearing had to be moved across the hallway in the Capitol basement, to accommodate the large crowd that had hoped for at least an opportunity to testify on the bill. At print hearings like today's, generally only lawmakers or bill sponsors are allowed to speak.

Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise and Idaho's only openly gay lawmaker, said she was at a loss of where to turn next.

"It's never the year," LeFavour added. "I think this is political. But to allow politics to intercede when you know something is right or wrong, that is the most sinister statement you can make. Especially when you know people are living in fear."